1804 $2 1/2 14 Star Reverse MS62 PCGS. Breen-6119, BD-2,
R.4. This lovely example of the 1804 quarter eagle with 14 Star
Reverse would make a fitting acquisition to accompany the James A.
Stack 1804 14 Star Reverse dime (JR-2, R.5) that is also in the
present sale, as both the dimes and quarter eagles were made with
the same dies. This was purely an economic and practical measure at
the early Mint, as so few quarter eagles were struck each year that
there was little need for custom-produced dies for that single
denomination. The reverse stars show an obvious cross pattern, the
only Robert Scot quarter eagle reverse with such a star
arrangement. In particular, the eagle's left (facing) wing
partially obscures star 1, the top leftmost star. Walter Breen
believed that this die was a leftover reverse from around 1798, but
opinions are mixed, since the cross pattern is not as absolutely
uniform as some of the earlier such dies. Opinions are similarly
divided as to whether the quarter eagles or dimes were struck
first, but both John Dannreuther and the John Reich dime
researchers believe the dimes were struck last.
The obverse die, which was used with both the BD-1 and BD-2 13 Star
and 14 Star reverses, respectively, has a fairly large 1, a large
8, a wide, round 0, and a small 4 in the date. The present
greenish-gold specimen shows considerable contrast between the
fields and devices. Numerous parallel adjustment marks are noted
through the center obverse, although they are scarcely visible
without a loupe. The reverse shows a few light signs of contact
under a loupe, none remotely worthy of singular mention, and yet
both sides retain significant appeal, a combination of the radiant
luster, fairly well executed strike, and absence of mentionable
post-strike impairments. Population: 7 in 62, 2 finer
(7/07).(Registry
values: P6) (NGC ID# 25F8, PCGS# 7652)